Ca(1-X)Nixo Catalytic Thin-Films Prepared by Pulsed-Laser Deposition

Ca_(1−x)Ni_xO solid-solution films with varying stoichiometry have been prepared by pulsed laser deposition from sintered targets of NiO and CaO. X-ray diffraction data indicate that the films have the structure of sodium chloride. The lattice constants for different stoichiometries vary with film composition. Using the Madelung energy as the binding energy between anions and cations and assuming that nickel and calcium ions are distributed randomly in lattice sites, the lattice constants were calculated and found to compare with experimental results. This study investigated the compositional changes that occur during the target sintering process and the pulsed laser deposition of films. Using these data, a target composition can be prepared to produce Ca_(1−x)Ni_xO thin films with any desired lattice constant.